College Writing 3-1

English for Academic Success Series vii
reproduced to use in class, and assessment tools such as additional
tests to use beyond the assessment materials in each book.
* Wtrat ls the Purpose of the Writing Strand?
The writing strand of the English for success series prepares ESL
students for academic written work, particularly in the first two years of
college study. Many ESL students have learned English mostly through
their ears; others have studied English primarily with their eyes. Each
group has unique written-language problems. The goals of the writing
books are to build on the strengths of the students, to respect the
knowledge they have, and to identifr and teach language, content, and
rhetoric that students must have to succeed in college courses. The writing
strategies presented focus on confidence building and step-by-step, easyto-learn
processes for effective academic writing.
The four writing textbooks prepare students for the range of
writing tasks assigned in college courses' and the solid scaffolding of skills
focus on "college culture" as well as on academic writing. The highinterest,
content-based chapters relate to academic work and college
disciplines, and the chapter materials have been designed to appeal to a
variety of student learning styles and strategies. The authentic native-
English speaker (NES), ESL, and professional writing samples offer
students examples of required writing in post-secondary institutions; the
writing assignments have been drawn from actual college courses across
the curriculum. In addition, the content of each textbook is based on the
HM Writing Competencies, which in turn are based on state-designed
competencies developed by hundreds of experienced ESL teachers.
Grammar and technology in the Writing strand
Because the ESL population is so diverse in its grammar and
rhetoric needs, each chapter contains Power Grammar boxes that
introduce structures needed by the students to write fluent, accurate
academic prose. The structures are drawn from the writing required by the
chapter content. Students who need additional work with the structures
are referred to the website, where high-quality relevant additional support
is available.
Assignments in the writing textbooks also ask students to use the
Internet to investigate topics and to identify and evaluate sources for
research. Materials about citing sources is sequenced and spiraled through
the books so that students exit the writing program with substantial
practice with and knowledge about using sources.